Paco Rabanne Black XS (2023) Full Review- Do You Need It?
Black XS.
A darker and more sexy representation of the brand.
Paco Rabanne Black XS was released in 2018. It is based on citruses, spices, and amber. It lasts seven hours on the skin with moderate projection. In this review, I will describe its smell and performance and if it’s worth it.
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Table of Contents
What Does Paco Rabanne Black XS Smell Like?
The opening is surprisingly bright with an intense, citric lemon note. It pairs uniquely with a sweet praline note. In the background is cinnamon spice and a dark patchouli note. There aren’t any fruit notes in the scent, but that’s the general idea of the opening.
I enjoy the blend of notes in the opening. Yet, the lemon and praline notes are both sweet and harsh, nearly overwhelming in both aspects. There isn’t much of a mid; the fragrance gets darker as it heads into the dry down.
Dark sweetness is retained in the base. There are new additions of warm woods and a heavier emphasis on cinnamon spice and patchouli. This is what you’ll smell for the rest of the wear.
Paco Rabanne Black XS notes:
TOP NOTES
- Citruses
- Lemon
- Tagetes
- Sage
MID NOTES
- Praline
- Cinnamon
- Tolu Balsam
- Cardamom
BASE NOTES
- Patchouli
- Amber
- Ebony Wood
- Rosewood
Performance
Black XS lasts six to seven hours on the skin with moderate projection. The first one to two hours pushes out well, an arm’s length at its peak. After this period, it sits pretty close to the skin. The sillage is as good. This is a dense fragrance that can hang in the air as you move around. This performance is with three sprays.
This is spring, fall, and winter wear. You can try it in the summer, but be careful, as the sweetness has the potential to get cloying. With the darkness of the fragrance, it is also geared more toward nightwear. As for occasions, it is great for dates.
The mass appeal and likability are excellent. This is a charming and alluring fragrance with its dark and mysterious nature. This is a better seducer for dates but still garners compliments. Lastly, the uniqueness is slightly above average. It’s different, but nothing ground-breaking.
Final Words
The final burning question is, is Paco Rabanne Black XS worth it? Maybe. It is seductive and alluring, but the opening can be off-putting for some. A 100mL bottle currently costs about $62. This is great, but at the same time, it’s also not. I recommend trying a sample or decant before blind-buying a bottle.
After you try Paco Rabanne Black XS, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.